"How did you even talk me into this...?" He asked, pushing her hand off his shoulder.

"Uh...I said I'd give you a Chaos Emerald..."

"But you don't HAVE a Chaos Emerald...That's it. I'm leaving." The hedgehog murmured out loud, as he turned and walked towards the door. However, the door was suddenly blocked by the presenter.

"Sorry, can't back out now." The presenter told him, a casual grin on his face. Shadow raised his hand.

"You dare stand in my way? I'm leaving and that's that."

"Tut, tut, tut. Shadow, can you survive two moments without starting a fight?" Rouge the Bat asked, while flapping her wings gently.

"Hmph. I wouldn't be starting a fight if you hadn't decided to bring me into this..." He folded his arms and gave the presenter Death's own glare.

"Oh. But this'll be fun, Shadow! You get to mix others you don't know!" She grabbed him by the ear, pulling him away from the exit.

He pushed her away once more, and then replied, "I don't want to 'mix'. I want to go home and practice my monologue."

"Right. Well then, so much for your social life."

"I HAD a social life. Back on ARK."

"Oh come on, Shadow! Please!"

"Why? I don't see the point in this..."

"And the winner shall receive a Chaos Emerald!" The black creature's ears perked up at the mention of a gem.

"Why don't you just steal the gem like you normally do?"

Suddenly, the bat found everyone, producing the show, looking at her, waiting for an answer. She stuttered but then answered calmly and coolly, "Uh...I don't steal anything... Often... But I wouldn't steal from where they make my favourite soaps!"

"You barely use that television at home, Rouge." Shadow pointed out, folding his arms.

"Alright, Mr. Sunshine..." She muttered sternly through her teeth, "...You're going to help me, right? Because some random hedgehog, say, Big Blue, could come in here and...?"

"Rouge. You shouldn't use that tone with me. Even you know that."

"Fine. I'll go ask Blue Boy for help." She answered as a smug grin appeared on her muzzle.

The Ultimate Life form sighed, and then shook his head, "Alright, Rouge. But this better be QUICK."

"Thanks, Shadow!" She cried, her eyes glistening at the emerald behind the case. Shadow slapped his forehead.

'She's always after the gems...'

"Now that we have that sorted out... Let's enter!" Rouge announced, raising her index finger.

"Since when do you go on reality shows?"

"I've been on a few soaps myself..." She gave a pose and a quick wink.

"Let's just get this over with. My monologue's calling."

Meanwhile...

A fox and an azure hedgehog stood outside, inspecting the area around the building. The fox placed one hand on his muzzle, thinking doubtfully.

"Sonic? Are you sure this is going to turn out...Alright?"

"Sure, Bud! Winning a'll be a piece o' cake!" He announced as a small smile crept onto his muzzle. He gave his brother a thumbs up, while smiling confidently.

"I don't know...Something's putting me off about the whole idea..." Tails gestured towards the door, tilting his head as a puzzled look of confusion fell over his face. Sonic walked towards the door, and turned the knob.

"C'mon, Tails!"

"Sonic, I have a very bad feeling about this..." Tails walked slowly towards the door, his shoulders hunched up as his stare was to the ground. He kicked the dirt hopelessly, wondering what would happen.

"What's the worst that could happen?" They entered the quaint studio. Tails tapped Sonic on the shoulder.

"Aw, Tails. It's not like we're teaming up with Egghead or anything like that... Is it?"

"Well, actually. We'll all be teaming up with someone in this group. We swap partners." Rouge explained, closing her eyes and folding her arms, a small smile on her face.

Tails looked horrified, "NO WAY!"

"Yes way, Cutie." She smiled, puckering up her lips mockingly. Sonic, however, didn't see this.

"Sonic, PLEASE!" Tails begged, as he suddenly hid behind Sonic.

"What is it, Tails?" Sonic asked, turning his head to the fox.

Tails shivered, hiding his face from the bat almost as if he was cowering. "Sonic...I don't want to team up with her...Last time I fought her...She... She KISSED ME!"

"Heh, heh. Knuckles will be proud. Seriously though, Tails. We're only teaming up for a while."

"She did it within 30 seconds, Sonic!"

"Aw, Cutie, that is adorable. I'll only be teaming up with you for a day, though." She declared, batting her eyelashes at the fox. The fox's eyes widened, as he kept trying to drag Sonic out of the studio.

"C'mon, Sonic. We're GOING!"

Shadow looked at the door, seeing it wide open. He then asked, "Where's that presenter?"